B) Anyone else a contractor with an LTD?

Moi! Downside: I'm using accountants as it's just too much fucking effort for me and they "save more than they cost" quarterly VAT returns, PAYE (potentially), what you can claim as an expense, receipts, payments in other denominations, paying your spouse, corporation tax and all that crap can drain you.

I'll answer some of your questions regarding B.

• I have a surplus in that I have enough to live 6 months without any pay, not sure what you mean by the question - may have missed the mark.
• I contribute to an ISA, yes.
• Directly from the ISA, yes.
• Nothing like this. One can pay employees certain amounts, there are certain brackets after which you have to enrol on PAYE and after several offer a pension scheme. Not bothered going down the rabbit hole.
• I don't need any loans I'm afraid. I guess if they were at stupidly good rates then I could take them out and invest them. Once you're registered with Companies House you'll get spammed to death. Expect an extra 2-3 letters a week about business loans and pish like that.